Entertainment game-based gaming device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of this concept are direct to a game that includes a combination of an entertainment game and a gambling game. This game combination provides an entertainment game that retains the playability and fun of a skill game or other non-traditional gambling game while allowing for wagers to still be placed and awards won. In some embodiments, the wager-based gambling game is tied directly into the entertainment game, which provides additional entertainment and excitement. Other embodiments separate some of the aspects of the gambling game from the entertainment game to retain the feel of well known gaming devices while still providing an entertainment game to the player.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/718,792, filed Mar. 5, 2010, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to gaming devices, and moreparticularly to gaming devices configured to provide an entertainmentgame as part of gaming session.

BACKGROUND

Game outcomes on gaming devices are typically determined at random wherewinning outcomes are awarded to a player in the form of money, credits,promotions, prizes, or other incentives, and losing outcomes typicallyresult only in a lost wager. Player excitement is typically generated byproviding the possibility of winning large awards for a relativelymeager wager. Indeed, for most players, the excitement and gratificationof gambling is tied to achieving wins. While these players will endurecertain periods of loss, players will often press the spin and/or betbuttons as quickly as possible to pass through the losses to get toanother win. Business principles require that most outcomes not be largewinning outcomes for the player. Thus, many gambling sessions includeextended periods that are devoid of large winning outcomes. Even duringa more balanced gaming session, a great portion of time on a gamingdevice is spent watching reels spin (poker hands played, etc.) with aresulting loss. It is understood that these losses must be balanced withgiving the player some incentive to keep playing, and casinos look forways to maintain player interest in the gaming device besides providingwins.

One way to keep a player at a gaming device while they are experiencinga string of losses is to provide other incentives or entertainment tothe player. For example, a player belonging to a player club willcontinue to earn points toward player club rewards even when they arenot winning at the gaming device. Some gaming establishments haveprovided televisions with sport games or other programming to provideplayer entertainment during gaming sessions. However, while some ofthese gaming devices have been configured to provide other types ofincentives or entertainment for the player to keep them at the gamingmachines during losing stretches, players often ignore thesedistractions and focus only on the game in front of them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating various components of a gamingsystem according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that illustrates an example gamingdevice that can be a part of the gaming system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an example machine interface device shownin FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an example processor in the machineinterface device illustrated in FIG. 3A according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example bonus controller shown in FIG. 1according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a detail diagram of an example gaming device configured toallow play of an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are detail diagrams showing an example gamesequence on the gaming device illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detail diagram of another example gaming device configuredto allow play of an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming deviceconfigured with an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are detail diagrams of another example gaming deviceconfigured to allow play of an entertainment-based game according toembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating various components of a gamingsystem according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,the gaming system 2 includes several gaming devices, also referred to asElectronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) 10 that are connected to a gamingnetwork 50 through various communication mechanisms.

In general, a gaming network 50 connects any of a number of EGMs 10, orother gaming devices, such as those described below, for centralmanagement. Accounting and other functions may be served by a connectedserver 60 and database 70. For example many player tracking functions,bonusing systems, and promotional systems may be centrally administratedfrom the server 60 and database 70. In some embodiments there may bemultiple servers 60 and databases 70, each performing differentfunctions. In other embodiments functions may be combined and operate ona single or small group of servers 60, each with their own database 70or combined databases.

Many of the EGMs 10 of FIG. 1 connect to the gaming network 50 through aMachine Interface Device, MID 20. In general, the MID 20 is amulti-protocol interface that monitors communication between the gamingnetwork 50 and the EGM 10. In a common embodiment, the MID 20communicates to the EGM 10 through a standard gaming network port, usinga standard gaming network protocol, SAS, which is well known in thegaming industry. Most modern games include at least one communicationport, which is commonly a SAS port or a port for another communicationprotocol. The MID 20, along with its various functions and communicationmethods is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B below.

Other EGMs 10 in FIG. 1 connect to the gaming network 50 through a bonuscontroller 40, which may be coupled between the gaming network 50 andgaming device 10. The bonus controller 40 generally communicates througha non-SAS protocol, such as another well-known communication protocolknown as GSA. GSA is typically carried over an Ethernet network, andthus the bonus controller 40 includes an Ethernet transceiver, which isdescribed with reference to FIG. 4 below. Because the bonus controller40 communication may be Ethernet based, a switch 30 may be used toextend the number of devices that may be coupled to the bonus controller40. The bonus controller 40 and/or the MID 20 may create or convert dataor information received according to a particular protocol, such as SAS,into data or information according to another protocol, such as GSA. Inthis way the MID 20 and bonus controller 40 are equipped to communicate,seamlessly, between any EGM 10 and gaming network 50 no matter whichcommunication protocols are in use. Further, because the MID 20 andbonus controller 40 are programmable, and include multiple extensiblecommunication methods, as described below, they are capable ofcommunicating with EGMs 10 that will communicate using protocols andcommunication methods developed in the future.

Other games or devices on which games may be played are connected to thegaming network using other connection and/or communication methods. Forinstance, an EGM 12 may couple directly to the network 50 without anyintervening hardware, other than hardware that is built into the EGM 12to connect it to the network 50. Likewise, a player kiosk 14 may bedirectly coupled to the gaming network. The player kiosk 14 allowsplayers, managers, or other personnel to access data on the gamingnetwork 50, such as a player tracking record, and/or to perform otherfunctions using the network. For example, a player may be able to checkthe current holdings of the player account, transfer balances, redeemplayer points for credits, cash, or other merchandise or coupons, suchas food or travel coupons, for instance.

A wireless transceiver 32 couples the gaming network 50 to a wirelessEGM 36, such as a handheld device, or, through a cell phone or othercompatible data network, the transceiver 32 connects to a cellular phone34. The cellular phone 34 may be a “smart phone,” which in essence is ahandheld computer capable of playing games or performing other functionson the gaming network 50, as described in some embodiments of theinvention.

The gaming network 50 also couples to the internet 70, which in turn iscoupled to a number of computers, such as the personal computer 72illustrated in FIG. 1. The personal computer 72 may be used much likethe kiosk 14, described above, to manage player tracking or other datakept on the gaming network 50. More likely, though, is that the personalcomputer 72 is used to play actual games in communication with thegaming network 50. Player data related to games and other functionsperformed on the personal computer 72 may be tracked as if the playerwere playing on an EGM 10.

In general, in operation, a player inserts a starting credit into one ofthe games, such as an EGM 10. The EGM 10 sends data through its SAS orother data communication port through the MID 20 and/or bonus controller50 to the gaming network 50. Various servers 60 and databases 70 collectinformation about the gameplay on the EGM 10, such as wagers made,results, various pressing of the buttons on the EGM 10, for example. Inaddition, the SAS port on the EGM 10 may also be coupled, through theMID 20 as described below, to other systems, such as player trackingsystems, accounting, and ticketing systems, such as Ticket-In-Ticket-Out(TITO) systems.

In addition, the EGM 10 accepts information from systems external to theEGM itself to cause the EGM 10 to perform other functions. For example,these external systems may drive the EGM 10 to issue additional creditsto the player. In another example, a promotional server may direct theEGM 10 to print a promotional coupon on the ticket printer of the EGM.

The bonus controller 40 is structured to perform some of theabove-described functions as well. For example, in addition to standardgames on the EGM 10, the bonus controller 40 is structured to drive theEGM 10 to pay bonus awards to the player based on any of the factors, orcombination of factors, related to the EGM 10, the player playing theEGM 10, particular game outcomes of the game being played, or otherfactors.

In this manner, the combination of the bonus controller 40 and MID 20are a sub-system capable of interfacing with each of the EGMs on agaming network 50. Through this interface, the MID 20 may gather dataabout the game, gameplay, or player, or other data on the EGM 10, andforward it to the bonus controller 40. The bonus controller 40 then usessuch collected data as input and, when certain conditions are met, sendsinformation and/or data to the EGM 10 to cause it to perform certainfunctions.

In a more detailed example, suppose a player is playing an EGM 10coupled to the MID 20 and the bonus controller 40 described above. Theplayer inserts a player tracking card so the gaming network 50 knows theplayer identity. The MID 20 also stores such identifying information, orperhaps stores only information that the player is a level-2 identifiedplayer, for instance. The MID 20 passes such information to the bonuscontroller 40, which has been programmed to provide a welcome-back bonusto any level-2 player after he or she has played two games. Gameplay onthe EGM 10 continues and, after the player plays two games, the bonuscontroller 40 instructs the EGM 10 to add an additional 40 credits tothe EGM 10 as the welcome-back bonus. Such monitoring and control of theEGM 10 can occur in conjunction with, but completely separate from anyplayer tracking or bonusing function that is already present on thegaming network 50. In other words, the server 60, when structured atleast in part as a bonusing server, may be set to provide a time-basedbonus of 10 credits for every hour played by the player of the EGM 10.The above-described welcome-back bonus may be managed completelyseparately through the bonus controller 40 and MID 20. Further, all ofthe actions on the EGM 10 caused by the bonus controller 40 are alsocommunicated to the standard accounting, tracking, and other systemsalready present on the gaming network 50.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that illustrates an example gamingdevice that can be a part of the gaming system shown in FIG. 1.Referring to FIG. 2, the illustrated gaming device 100 is an example ofthe EGMs 10, 12 that are shown in FIG. 1. These EGMs 10, 12 may includeall types of electronic gaming machines, such as physical reel slotmachines, video slot machines, video poker gaming devices, videoblackjack machines, keno games, and any other type of devices may beused to wager monetary-based credits on a game of chance. As mentionedabove, various other types of gaming devices may be connected to thenetwork 50 (FIG. 1) such as wireless gaming devices 36, computers usedfor gaming purposes 72, cellular phones 34, multi-player gamingstations, server-based gaming terminals, etc.

Returning to FIG. 2, the illustrated gaming device 100 includes acabinet 105 to house various parts of the gaming device 100, therebyallowing certain components to remain securely isolated from playerinterference, while providing access to player input/output devices sothat the player may interact with the gaming device. The securely housedcomponents include the game processor 120, memory 110, and connectionport 130. The game processor 120, depending on the type of gaming device100, may completely or partially control the operation of the gamingdevice. For example, if the gaming device 100 is a standalone gamingdevice, game processor 120 may control virtually all of the operationsof the gaming device and attached equipment. In other configurations,the game processor 120 may implement instructions generated by orcommunicated from a remote server (e.g., server 60 shown in FIG. 1) orother controller. For example, the game processor 120 may be responsiblefor running a base game of the gaming device 100 and executinginstructions received over the network 50 from a bonus server or playertracking server. In a server-based gaming environment, the gameprocessor 120 may simply act as a terminal to perform instructions froma remote server that is running game play on the gaming device 100.

The memory 110 is connected to the game processor 120 and may beconfigured to store various game information about gameplay or playerinteractions with the gaming device 100. This memory may be volatile(e.g., RAM), non-volatile (e.g., flash memory), or include both types ofmemory. The connection port 130 is also connected to the game processor120. This connection port 130 typically connects the gaming device 100to a gaming network, such as the gaming network 50 described above. Theconnection port 130 may be structured as a serial port, parallel port,Ethernet port, optical connection, wireless antenna, or any other typeof communication port used to transmit and receive data. Although onlyone connection port 130 is shown in FIG. 1, the gaming device 100 mayinclude multiple connection ports. As described above, in many existinggaming devices, this connection port 130 is a serial connection portutilizing a SAS protocol to communicate to one or more remote gameservers, such as player tracking servers, bonus servers, accountingservers, etc.

The player input/output devices housed by the gaming cabinet 105 includea game display 130, a button panel 140 having one or more buttons 145, aticket printer 150, a bill/ticket reader 170, a credit meter 175, aplayer club interface device 160, and one or more game speakers 195.Various gaming devices may include fewer or more input/output devices(e.g., a game handle, a coin acceptor, a coin hopper, etc.) dependingupon the configuration of the gaming device.

The gaming display 130 may have mechanical spinning reels, a videodisplay, or include a combination of both spinning reels and a videodisplay, or use other methods to display aspects of the gameplay to theplayer. If the gaming display 130 is a video display, the gaming displaymay include a touch screen to further allow the player to interact withgame indicia, soft buttons, or other displayed objects. The button panel140 allows the player to select and place wagers on the game of chance,as well as allowing the player to control other aspects of gaming Forexample, some gaming devices allow the player to press a button 145 tosignal that he or she requires player assistance. Other buttons maybring up a help menu and/or game information. The buttons 145 may alsobe used to play bonuses or make selections during bonus rounds.

Ticket printers 150 have relatively recently been included on mostgaming devices to eliminate the need to restock coin hoppers and allow aplayer to quickly cash-out credits and transfer those credits to anothergaming device. The tickets can also typically be redeemed for cash at acashier cage or kiosk. The ticket printers are usually connected to thegame processor and to a remote server, such as a TITO server toaccomplish its intended purpose. In gaming devices that have more thanone peripheral device, and which include only a single SAS port, theperipheral devices all share communication time over the connection port130.

Another peripheral device that often requires communication with aremote server is the player club interface device 160. The player clubinterface device 160 may include a reader device and one or more inputmechanisms. The reader is configured to read an object or indiciaidentifying the player. The identifying object may be a player club cardissued by the casino to a player that includes player informationencoded on the card. Once the player is identified by a gaming device,the player club interface device 160 communicates with a remote playerserver through the connection port 130 to associate a player accountwith the gaming device 100. This allows various information regardingthe player to be communicated between the gaming device 100 and theplayer server, such as amounts wagered, credits won, and rate of play.In other embodiments, the card reader may read other identifying cards(such as driver licenses, credit cards, etc.) to identify a player.Although FIG. 2 shows the reader as a card reader, other embodiments mayinclude a reader having a biometric scanner, PIN code acceptor, or othermethods of identifying a player so as to pair the player with theirplayer tracking account. As is known in the art, it is typicallyadvantageous for a casino to encourage a player to join a player clubsince this may inspire loyalty to the casino, as well as give the casinoinformation about the player's likes, dislikes, and gaming habits. Tocompensate the player for joining a player club, the casino often awardsplayer points or other prizes to identified players during game play.

Other input/output devices of the gaming device 100 include a creditmeter 175, a bill/ticket acceptor 170, and speakers 195. The creditmeter 175 generally indicates the total number of credits remaining onthe gaming device 100 that are eligible to be wagered. The credit meter175 may reflect a monetary unit, such as dollars, or an amount ofcredits, which are related to a monetary unit, but may be easier todisplay. For example, one credit may equal one cent so that portion of adollar won can be displayed as a whole number instead of decimal. Thebill/ticket acceptor 170 typically recognizes and validates paper billsand/or printed tickets and causes the game processor 120 to display acorresponding amount on the credit meter 175. The speakers 195 playauditory signals in response to game play or may play enticing soundswhile in an “attract-mode,” when a player is not at the gaming device.The auditory signals may also convey information about the game, such asby playing a particularly festive sound when a large award is won.

The gaming device 100 may include various other devices to interact withplayers, such as light configurations, top box displays 190, andsecondary displays 180. The top box display 190 may include illuminatedartwork to announce a game style, a video display (such as an LCD), amechanical and/or electrical bonus display (such as a wheel), or otherknown top box devices. The secondary display 180 may be a vacuumfluorescent display (VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode raytube (CRT), a plasma screen, or the like. The secondary display 180 mayshow any combination of primary game information and ancillaryinformation to the player. For example, the secondary display 180 mayshow player tracking information, secondary bonus information,advertisements, or player selectable game options. The secondary displaymay be attached to the game cabinet 105 or may be located near thegaming device 100. The secondary display 180 may also be a display thatis associated with multiple gaming devices 100, such as a bank-widebonus meter, or a common display for linked gaming devices.

In operation, typical play on a gaming device 100 commences with aplayer placing a wager on a game to generate a game outcome. In somegames, a player need not interact with the game after placing the wagerand initiating the game, while in other games, the player may beprompted to interact with the gaming device 100 during game play.Interaction between the player and the gaming device 100 is more commonduring bonuses, but may occur as part of the game, such as with videopoker. Play may continue on the gaming device 100 until a player decidesto cash out or until insufficient credits remain on the credit meter 175to place a minimum wager for the gaming device.

Communication between gaming devices, such as those described above, andother devices on gaming systems 2 (FIG. 1) is becoming increasingly morecomplex. The below-described system illustrates a system and method ofcommunication on modern and future gaming systems.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a MID 200, which may be an example of theMID 20 described with reference to FIG. 1 above. The MID 200 includes aset of processors 210, which in this example are termed SAS processors.These SAS processors are capable of accepting, manipulating, andoutputting data on a SAS protocol network.

The MID 200 is capable of communicating using other communicationprotocols as well, as described below. Each processor 210 is structuredto couple to two Electronic Gaming Devices (EGDs). EGDs may include, forexample, gaming devices such as EGM 10 of FIG. 1, or other electronicgaming devices. In the illustrated embodiment, each SAS processor 210includes two ports, A and B, each of which may be coupled to an EGD. Inturn, the two ports A and B are attached to a set of physicalconnectors, illustrated here as a single connector 240 for convenienceof explanation. Each section of the physical connector 240, delineatedby dotted lines, includes three separate pairs of communication lines.Each pair of communication lines is illustrated as a single line—a firstserial pair labeled EGD, a second serial pair labeled SYS, and a thirdcommunication pair that uses two-wire communication, labeled TWI. Notethat each of the ports A and B of the SAS processor 210 includes allthree communication pairs. Additionally each of the sections of thephysical connector 240 includes wires for a voltage and groundreference, though not depicted in FIG. 3A. In an embodiment of the MID200 with four SAS processors 210, the physical connector 240 includes upto eight sections, each of which may be embodied by a separate,standard, RJ-45 connector to couple to a matching RJ-45 port in theconnected EGM 10, or EGD, as determined by the specific implementation.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first serial pair of Port A couples toEGD. The second serial pair may be coupled to external devices connectedto the EGD, as needed. Specifically, some serial data protocols, such asSAS, do not allow EGMs 10 to interface with multiple external devicesover a single serial communication path. Such external devices mayinclude, for example, player tracking systems and accounting systems. Ifa particular EGM 10 is already connected to such a system, and thus itsSAS port is “full,” the MID 200, and in particular a SAS processor 210,may insert itself “between” the connected system and the EGM 10 by usingboth of the serial pairs in a particular port of the SAS processor 210to couple to the EGM 10 and the other connected system, respectively. Inoperation, the MID 200, through the respective SAS processor 210, passesany information directed from the external device coupled to the SYScommunication lines in a particular port to the EGD of the same port, orvice-versa, in real time and without interruption. For example, polls,requests for information, and transmission of information are passedfrom a connected player tracking system, through the SYS lines of Port Ato the serial line EGD of Port A. Only a small communication delay isadded using such a communication system, which is well within thetolerance limits of SAS protocol. As a result, both the EGM 10 andexternal system behave as if the MID 200 were not present.

Further, the third communication pair, a two-wire interface labeled TWI,presents opportunity for expansion to future systems installed on theEGM 10, or a new EGM, so that any data may be communicated between theEGM 10 and the MID 200. The TWI may be connected to card readers, topboxes, ticket dispensers, lighting panels, etc. that are coupled to orwork in conjunction with an EGM 10.

Besides simply passing information between communication interfaces, theMID 200 also generates information directly for connected EGDs, whichmay originate from the MID 200 or from another device as describedbelow. In such a case the SAS processor 210 sends the appropriate datathrough its appropriate serial line or two-wire interface directly tothe desired EGD. Then the EGD may send its own data to its connectedperipheral.

Referring back to FIG. 3A, the MID 200 additionally includes acommunication processor 220, labeled as COMM processor. Thecommunication processor 220 is coupled to each of the SAS processors210, a program/debug circuit 230, and to a bonus controller 40 (FIG. 1).In practice, the communication processor 220 may be embodied by a smallmicroprocessor, such as the Atmel ATXMEGA256A3, which is readilyavailable to developers, or any other processor or system capable ofperforming the desired communication functions.

The communication processor 220 collects and aggregates information fromthe EGDs that are coupled to each of the SAS processors 210 and sendsthe aggregated information to the bonus controller 40 of FIG. 1. In someembodiments the communication processor 220 is coupled to the bonuscontroller 40 through an Ethernet interface. The communication processoris structured to parse information from Ethernet data packets andcollect it for use by other systems within the MID 200. Because Ethernetis an addressed protocol, by which messages may be sent to a particularEthernet address, the communication processor 220 also includes anaddress of the Ethernet device in a MAC ID 222.

The communication processor 220 may also accept information from thebonus controller 40, or other connected devices, and pass suchinformation to the EGDs coupled to the SAS processors 210. Theinformation may include data, instructions, or commands, for instance.

A memory 224, which may be, for instance Ferroelectric Random AccessMemory (FRAM) capable of retaining stored contents for over 10 years maybe used by the communication processor for both program and datastorage. Of course, other memory technologies may be used instead of orin addition to PRAM.

A program/debug circuit 230 in the MID 200 connects to the communicationprocessor 220 as well as to each of the SAS processors 210. Duringmanufacture of the MID 200, the programming functions of theprogram/debug circuit 230 load program code to each of the SASprocessors 210 as well as the communication processor 220. This initialloading may take place through a program/debug communication port.Further, the program codes stored in each of the SAS processors 210 andthe communication processor 230 may be updated through commands and datasent from an external device, such as the bonus controller 40, throughthe communication processor 220 to the program/debug circuit 230. Theprogram/debug circuit 230 then formats the updated program data for eachof the connected SAS processors 210 and communication processor 220, andsends a command to each of the processors to be updated to load the newprogram code.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of one of the SAS processors 210 of FIG. 3A,which shows additional detail of the SAS processor.

As described above, each of the SAS processors 210 include two separateports, Port A and Port B, illustrated here as separate ports of amicroprocessor 260. The microprocessor 260 in the SAS processor 210 maybe embodied by an Atmel ATXMEGA256A3, as described above.

Each of the ports of the microprocessor 260 is structured to couple toan EGD, which may be an EGM 10 of FIG. 1. Each port of themicroprocessor 260 includes two serial connections, which in the exampleembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, are RS-232 ports common in thecomputing industry. The RS-232 ports are contained in an RS-232interface 270, 275, one for each port of the microprocessor 260. Each ofthe interfaces 270, 275 includes two separate RS-232 ports, each ofwhich uses a separate transmit and receive wire. Thus, each interface270, 275 includes a total of four wires. It is convenient to includeRS-232 ports as the preferred mode of communication because it is thestandard interface for SAS ports of the EGMs 10. In non-standard EGMs10, such as very old or future devices that may not include SAS ports,communication ports other than RS-232 may be used simply by exchangingor updating the RS-232 interfaces 270, 275. Another possibility is toinclude an RS-232 translator in any EGM 10 that does not include its ownRS-232 interface. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, and as described above, thefirst of the serial connections, labeled EGD, is connected to an EGD forthe particular port of the microprocessor 260, while the second serialconnection, labeled SYS is connected to external devices that may becoupled to the particular EGD.

Additionally, and as described above, each SAS processor 210 includestwo, two-wire interfaces, illustrated as a separate interface pair andlabeled as TWI. In this embodiment, there is one pair for each port ofthe microprocessor 260. Each two-wire interface creates a bi-directionalserial port that may be used for communicating with peripheral orexpansion devices associated with the EGD of the particularmicroprocessor 260, or with other devices on the gaming system 2 of FIG.1.

The SAS processor 210 includes a memory 280 for storing instruction dataof the microprocessor 260 as well as providing data storage used by theSAS processor. The memory 280 is preferably non-volatile memory, such asFRAM that is connected to the microprocessor 260 through a serialinterface.

As described above, the SAS processor 210 of the MIB 200 (FIG. 3A)includes multiple connections to other components in the MIB 200, whichare illustrated in detail in FIG. 3B. Initially, each SAS processor 210is coupled to each of the other SAS processors 210 in the MIB 200. Inpractice, this may accomplished by a direct connection, in which eachmicroprocessor 260 is directly coupled to one another, or suchconnection may be an indirect connection. In an indirect connection, themicroprocessors 260 of each SAS processor 210 is coupled to thecommunication processor 220 (FIG. 3A). Any data or information to beshared between SAS processors 210 is then originated by or passedthrough the communication processor 220 to the other SAS processors.

Similarly, as described above, the microprocessor 260 of each SASprocessor 210 is coupled to a program/debug circuit 230 for initial orlater programming

To communicate with each SAS processor 210 individually, each SASprocessor is given an individual identification number, which may be setfor the microprocessor 260 by tying particular data pins of themicroprocessor to permanent low or high signals. Using binary encoding,n individual lines are used to identify 2 n separate processors.

A set of expansion pins couples to the microprocessor 260 of each SASprocessor 210 so that each processor may determine system identificationand revisions of the MIB 200 and the connected bonus controller 40.

With reference back to FIG. 1, recall that the bonus controller 40couples to each of the MIDs 200, and by extension to their coupled EGDs,such as EGMs 10, and possibly to one or more EGMs themselves, to causedata and commands to be sent to the EGMs to control functions on eachEGM. FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of such a bonus controller,according to embodiments of the invention.

A bonus controller 300 of FIG. 4 may be an embodiment of the bonuscontroller 40 illustrated in FIG. 1. Central to the bonus controller 300is a microprocessor 310, which may be an Atmel AT91SAM9G20, which isreadily available to developers.

The microprocessor 310 is coupled to one or more memory systems 320,325. A memory system 320 is a 2 Megabyte FRAM while memory system 325 isa 64 Megabyte

Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM). Each memory system 320, 325 has variousadvantages and properties and is chosen for those properties. FRAMmaintains its data autonomously for up to ten years, while SDRAM isrelatively fast to move data into and out of, as well as beingrelatively inexpensive. Of course, the sizes and types of memoryincluded in any bonus controller according to embodiments of theinvention may be determined by the particular implementation.

The microprocessor 310 also couples to a pair of card readers, 340, 345,which are structured to accept easily replaceable, portable memorycards, as are widely known. Each card reader may further includeElectro-Static Discharge (ESD) devices to prevent damage to internalcircuitry, such as the microprocessor 310, when cards are inserted orremoved from the card readers 340, 345. In practice, a card in one ofthe card readers 340, 345 may store program code for the microprocessor310 while a card in the other reader may store data for use by the bonuscontroller 300. Alternatively a single card in either of the cardreaders 340, 345 may store both program and data information.

A port connector 330 includes multiple communication ports forcommunicating with other devices. With reference back to FIG. 3A, thecommunication processor of each MID 200 couples to a connected bonuscontroller through such a communication port. The communication port 330is preferably an Ethernet interface, as described above, and thereforeadditionally includes a MAC address 331. The port connector 330 includesmultiple separate connectors, such as eight, each of which connect to asingle MID 20 (FIG. 1), which in turn connects to up to eight separateEGMs 10. Thus, a single bonus controller 300 may couple to sixty-fourseparate EGMs by connecting through appropriately connected MIDs.

Further, a second port connector 335 may be included in the bonuscontroller 300. The second port connector may also be an Ethernetconnector. The purpose of the second port connector 335 is to allowadditionally connectivity to the bonus controller 300. In mostembodiments the second port connector 335 may couple to another bonuscontroller 300 or to other server devices, such as the server 60 on thegaming network 50 of FIG. 1. In practice, the second port connector 335may additionally be coupled to a MID 20, thus providing the bonuscontroller 300 with the ability to directly connect to nine MIDs 20.

Yet further, Ethernet connections are easily replicated with a switch,external to the bonus controller 300 itself, which may be used togreatly expand the number of devices to which the bonus controller 300may connect.

Because the bonus controller 300 is intended to be present on a gamingnetwork 50, and may be exposed to the general public, systems to protectthe integrity of the bonus controller 300 are included. An intrusiondetection circuit 360 signals the processor 310 if a cabinet or housingthat contains the bonus controller 300 is breached, even if no power issupplied to the bonus controller 300. The intrusion detection circuitmay include a magnetic switch that closes (or opens) when a breachoccurs. The microprocessor 310 then generates a signal that may bedetected on the gaming network 50 indicating that such a breachoccurred, so that an appropriate response may be made. An on-board powercircuit 370 may provide power to the bonus controller 300 for arelatively long time, such as a day or more, so that any data generatedby the processor 310 is preserved and so that the processor 310 maycontinue to function, even when no external power is applied. Theon-board power circuit 370 may include an energy-storing material suchas a battery or a large and/or efficient capacitor.

Similar to the microprocessor processor 260 of the SAS processor 210described above, the microprocessor 310 of the bonus controller 300 isadditionally coupled to a program/debug port for initially programmingthe microprocessor 310 during production, and so that program and/orother data for the microprocessor may be updated through theprogram/debug port.

In operation the bonus controller 300 configures and controls bonusfeatures on gaming devices through a gaming network 50 or through othercommunication systems. Bonus features are implemented through eachgaming device's internal structure and capabilities, and may includeintegration with additional peripheral devices. Bonusing programs forthe connected games may be introduced to the bonus controller 300 byupdating data stored in the memory systems directly on the bonuscontroller, or by inserting new memory cards in one or more of the cardreaders 340, 345. Such a platform provides a facility for gamedevelopers, even third-party developers, to define and program new typesof bonus games that may be used in conjunction with existing EGMs onexisting gaming networks, or on new games and new networks as they aredeveloped.

One concept that can be implemented on newly manufactured gamingdevices, or implemented utilizing the bonus controller and/or MIDdiscussed above to modify existing gaming devices, is a game thatcombines an entertainment game with a gambling game. As used herein, anentertainment game or entertainment-based game refers to a game that isplayed without the direct possibility of winning an award based on thegame's outcome. These entertainment games may include games that requireplayer skill, which may include physical and/or mental skill to optimizegame results. Entertainment games may also include games that aretraditionally played as games of chance, but are not tied to specificprizes for achieved game outcomes. Entertainment games may have scoresassociated with them, where the scores are based on the play of thegames. Various prizes or promotions may be awarded to a player upon theaccumulation of a predefined number of points in a score, for playing acertain number of entertainment-based games, playing theentertainment-based game for a predefined period of time, or othermeasureable metric. However, prizes are not directly awarded forspecific game outcomes for entertainment-based games. On the other hand,gambling games or wager-based games as used herein refer to games ofchance that have specific prizes associated with predefined gameoutcomes. These include common games of chance, such as slot games,poker, blackjack, keno, pai gow, craps, etc.

As discussed above, gaming establishments such as casinos need to havegaming devices that payback, on average, less than 100% of the wagersplaced to secure a profit. This typically requires gaming devices thathave large awards to payout these awards relatively infrequently.However, casinos also want to provide entertainment to their players sothat they do not get bored while playing the gaming devices or do notleave if they receive a string of losing game outcomes. Providingentertaining games that require a lot of player interaction is one wayto keep players involved in and interested in gaming sessions. One wayto accomplish this without resorting to repetitive random selections orbutton pushes is to make the player interactions a factor in the amountor type of game outcome. In other words, the player's actins have ameasureable effect on the game's outcome. Gaming regulations, however,typically frown upon games that rely too much on player skill because ofthe unequal paybacks that players with different skill levels wouldreceive for the same wager. Some games have been created that mimic thefeel of well-known skill based games to draw players. However, thesegames often do not prove to be successful because the elements that madethem popular have been removed to make them pay less than 100% and/or tonot rely heavily on player skill. Embodiments of this concept solve thisissue by providing a game that utilizes a combination of anentertainment game and a gambling game. More specifically, embodimentsof this invention provide an entertainment game that retains theplayability and fun of a skill game or other non-traditional gamblinggame while allowing for wagers to still be placed and awards won. Insome embodiments, the wager-based gambling game is tied directly intothe entertainment game, which provides additional entertainment andexcitement. Other embodiments separate some of the aspects of thegambling game from the entertainment game to retain the feel of wellknown gaming devices while still providing an entertainment game to theplayer.

In some embodiments, games may have multiple entertainment gamesavailable. Here, the player may select which of the availableentertainment games they wish to play. The wager-based portion of thesegames may be virtually identical or may differ in theme or play. Forexample, if a gaming device has multiple entertainment games and aseparate wager-based game (e.g., the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7)of three mechanical spinning reels, the wager-based game portion of thegaming device may remain the same regardless of which entertainment gameis selected. In other embodiments, the wager-based game may beinfluenced by the entertainment game (e.g., the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 6A-6D), and hence may differ depending on the selectedentertainment game. In yet other embodiments where each gaming deviceincludes only a single combination of an entertainment and a gamblinggame, games with separate entertainment games or themes may share atleast some common design elements, especially regarding wager selectionsand help interfaces. Similarly, some embodiments have multiplewager-based games available. In these embodiments, the player may selectwhich of the wager-based games they would like to play. This selectionmay be made in conjunction with or independently of a selection of anentertainment-based game to play.

These games may be directly implemented in a gaming device 10, 12(FIG. 1) using the gaming device's processor 120 (FIG. 2) and/or memory110. These games may also be downloaded to a gaming device 10, 12(FIG. 1) from a remote server 60, such as in a server-based gamingenvironment. Alternatively, the combination of the entertainment gameand gambling game may be stored in the memory of a bonus controller 40(FIG. 1) connected to a gaming device 10. This may allow casinopersonnel or even a player to select an entertainment game to be playedon the gaming device 10. In other embodiments, game play may occur overthe Internet 70 where a personal computer 72 acts as the gaming deviceby which the player plays the game. Here again, the player may be ableto select among several entertainment game themes to play.

FIG. 5 is a detail diagram of an example gaming device configured toallow play of an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a gaming device 400 includes a video display 430and a player interface panel 440. The player interface panel 440 mayinclude one or more game buttons 442 such as buttons that provide forspecific wagers, a hint or help button 444 that provides instructions ongame play, and a “Spin” or “Repeat Bet” button 445 that triggers gameplay. The video display 430 includes an entertainment-based game displayportion 450, a plurality of soft buttons 435 to aid in game play, acredit meter 452, a paid meter 454, a total bet meter 456, a bet meter458, a denomination display 459, and a score meter 460. Here, theentertainment game displayed on the entertainment-based game displayportion 450 is a grid of jewel symbols that may be similar to thewell-known game Bejeweled®. Bejeweled® is a popular video game oftenplayed on-line that occupies a category called “match-3.” This jewelmatching entertainment game is played on an 8×8 grid, filled with 7different kinds of jewels. Players attempt to line up three or morejewels of the same type in horizontal or vertical rows by swappingadjacent jewel positions. Some versions of the game only allow movesthat cause an alignment of three or more jewels are allowed and pointsare awarded for each such accomplishment. Other versions allow othersymbol swaps that do not necessarily result in a horizontal or verticalmatch of three symbols. Once three or more similar jewels are matched,the aligned jewels disappear and all of the jewels above those thatdisappeared fall down to fill the void. New randomly selected jewelsymbols fall in from the very top so that a grid of 8×8 symbols ismaintained.

In the illustrated embodiment, the game may be implemented on a videotouch screen, so that the player simply has to touch one of the symbolsto move it. The player may simply push a selected symbol in a desireddirection, or may select a second symbol with which to switch positions.If a match of 3 or more symbols will result, the exchange is executed.If a match does not result, the exchange may either be allowed withoutan associated gambling game or may be rejected depending upon theconfiguration of the gaming device 400. When a three or more symbolmatch or alignment occurs, points are awarded. More points are earnedfor aligning 4 or 5 symbols than for 3. Any symbols above fall down foras many spaces as were cleared by the alignment. New symbols are addedfrom the top to keep the game board fully populated. In someembodiments, these new symbols are chosen completely at random. In otherembodiments, the new symbols may be selected based on certain gameconditions. For example, if no other matching opportunities remain onthe symbol grid 450 (that is, player moves that will result in a matchof three or more symbols), certain symbols may be selected as the newsymbols to ensure that such a matching opportunity is available in thenext entertainment game.

Sometimes a new alignment is created as replacement symbols fall intoplace. Additional points are awarded each time this happens. Thosealigned symbols also disappear and are replaced with new symbols fromabove, which may trigger even more alignments. This cascading ofalignments rapidly increases scoring and creates much of the game'sexcitement (referred to as “cascades”). Advanced players may seek movesthat will trigger additional alignments, giving them much higher finalscores than players who do not seek such opportunities.

The goal is to achieve the highest score possible and many levels ofplay are involved. The game is really about pattern recognition andincludes skill and strategy in determining which alignments to make.Higher scores are accomplished by achieving cascades of alignments thatlead to other alignments when they disappear. Multiple match cascadescan even occur after a player aligns a single set of jewels withoutevidence of another match occurring from the new symbols appearing abovethe match. Thus very high scoring rounds may occur unexpectedly at anytime.

The entertainment-based game of the gaming device 400 retains this knownplayability of the jewel-matching game instead of trying to modify therules of play in an attempt to shoe-horn a popular game theme into awager-based format. The wager-based gambling portion of the gamingdevice allows the player to enjoy the excitement of playing the jewelmatching game while still allowing them to place wagers on gamblingevents, as described below.

In the gambling or wager-based game, each of the matched jeweled symbolsis replaced by a spinning reel. These reels are spun and a game outcomeis shown. If a winning combination of symbols appears on the reels,prizes are awarded to the player. For example, if three jewel symbolsare matched, three spinning reels replace the matched jewel symbols andare spun to show a game outcome. If 4 or 5 symbols were matched, theslot game invokes 4 or 5 spinning reels. In other embodiments, more orless symbols may be matches to generate spinning reels or another typeof wager-based game. After the reels stop spinning, and regardless ofwin or loss, the reels then disappear from the playfield and new symbolsdrop into place.

In some embodiments, players can only move the jewel symbols to create amatch of at least three jewels. As long as the new symbols that replacethe matched jewels allow for the possibility of another match in thesymbol grid 450 there is no issue in providing at least one move for theplayer to make. When such a possibility for a match would not bepossible given the new replacement symbols, the game may either alterthe new replacement symbols to ensure that a match is possible, if thenew symbols are chosen randomly, or provide the ability to reset aportion of or the entire grid 450 so that a match move is possible. Inessence, these embodiments are simply replacing the slot machine's Spinbutton with the entertainment-based matching game because a match willdefinitely take place, meaning that a game of chance will definitely beplayed. That is, players choose the number of credits to wager and beginplaying the jewel-matching game. Each time they align a set of jewelsymbols, they earn points in the entertainment game similarly to howthey would be awarded in a stand-alone version of the entertainmentgame. However, right before the matched symbols disappear, each symbolis translated into a spinning reel, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D. Allreels stop after about relatively short time (e.g., 1 second) just likea normal slot machine. If a winning combination is achieved, the playeris paid an appropriate award, and game play continues. Here, the actualwager may be deducted from the credit meter at the beginning of theentertainment game or when the reels are spun in the wager-based gamewithout any change game play as long as multiple cascades do not resultin multiple wagers being placed.

In other embodiments, a player's move may not have to result in a matchof three or more symbols. In these embodiments, the player may choose toforgo a move that provides for an immediate three symbol match toposition herself for a future five symbol match or cascade of matches.These embodiments allow for more player strategy, but have to compensatefor the lack of a guaranteed wager-based game by implementing a propercredit wagering system. In some of the embodiments the wagered creditsare deducted regardless of whether the player's move results in a match.Here, the tradeoff is that the player may forgo the chance of win tomake a more favorable match in the future. Thus, it may take the playertwo or three wagers to create the match that they want. However, thismatch may provide for a better award possibility. In other embodiments,the wagered credits are only deducted when the wager-based game isplayed (i.e., the reels are spun). Here, the player may not be able tomake a match rendering move, but won't have to wager unless the reelsare spun. These embodiments may, however, deduct a wager for each timethe reels are spun so that the player does not use previous turns tobuild up a large cascade of symbols and then only have to place onewager to trigger the cascade. Additionally, matches of four or fivesymbols may require a larger wager if the prizes associated with winshaving four or five spinning reels is larger than the possible wins withthree spinning reels. Alternately, matches of more than three symbolsmay use different paytables.

In either type of embodiment, the player is essentially playing anentertainment game while she is gambling. As shown in FIG. 5, the playerhas a score meter 460 on the left of the symbol grid 450 to keep trackof the score the player achieves in the entertainment-based game. On theright of the entertainment-based game playfield 450 is the credit meter452, credits won meter 454, and total bet meter 456, all relating to thewager-based game portion of the game.

As described above, if a cascade occurs, the player could either becharged their wager value for each cascade element, the additionalcascades could be “free spins” in a bonus game, or a combination of afee-based and free spin method may be used such as charging for only thefirst extra spin or charging a fee that is different from the wageramount. The “free spin” configuration may be preferable because it mightbe perceived as unfair to charge players credits out of their controland also because they might run out of credits. In some embodiments, thefree play costs are controlled by separate math for the free play games,which may be different than that of the spins resulting directly fromthe initial symbol match. In this way the gambling odds may be set andmaintained completely independently of the entertainment-based game.

In some embodiments, high scores could be kept for one or both of theentertainment-based game and gambling game. Of course, players achievinga high score might not do well on the slot side and vice versa. Inanother embodiment, the outcome of entertainment game could influencethe slot pays, high scores, level achievements, or simply matchingcertain digits in the score to preselected values could increase thechance of a winning outcome or increase the award value of a winningoutcome. The score could also be used as a trigger for a progressivejackpot award, which could be a standalone jackpot available only onthat machine or a linked award available on many machines.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are detail diagrams showing an example gamesequence on the gaming device illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6A, game play of the gaming device 400 begins with theentertainment-based game display portion 450 shown in FIG. 5. The playerinitiates a game by wagering five credits at 25 cents per credit for atotal wager of $1.25. The player notices that she can create analignment of three vertical trapezoid shaped jewels in the 5^(th) column(row positions 2-4) by switching the jewel in the 4^(th) row positionwith the adjacent trapezoid jewel symbol. After the switch is made, thematch of the three trapezoid symbols is highlighted as shown on thegaming display 430A. The score meter 460 is incremented by a match-threescore of 20 points resulting in a total of 280 points. The credit meter452 still shows that the wager has not been deducted from the totalavailable credits. As mentioned above, in other embodiments, credits maybe deducted at the beginning of the entertainment-based game. Thematched jewels are then replaced by spinning reels each having a singlereel position, which are spun and then come to a rest as shown in FIG.6B.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the gaming display 430B reflects that the spinningreels have come to rest showing that the player has received threenon-matching gaming symbols. Here, the credit meter 452 shows that fivecredits wagered have been deducted from the total credits available andthat no credits have been won. At this time, the reels disappear and newjewel symbols above the disappearing symbols fall into place where thepreviously matched symbols were located. New randomly selected jewelsymbols fall in from the top of the symbol grid to complete the symbolgrid 450. At this point, if no more symbol matches were made, the gamewould end and the player would have lost their five credit wager.However, as shown by FIG. 6C, as the symbols from above fell into place,another alignment of three similar jewel symbols was achieved.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the gaming display 430C shows that threeinverted-triangle jewels are matched in row 4. This in an example of acascade described above and allows the player another chance at winningan award as well as receiving more points. As reflected in the scoremeter 460, this second cascade match is worth 100 points. As beforethese matched jewel symbols are replaced by spinning reels, as shown inFIG. 6D.

Referring to FIG. 6D, the gaming display 430D reflects that the spinningreels have come to rest showing that the player has received threedouble-bars symbols. Here, the credits-won meter 454 shows that 50credits have been awarded as a result of the double bars. The creditmeter 452 shows that no additional credits were wagered for the secondreel spins and that the 50 credits won for the double bars has beenadded to the total credits available.

As discussed above, in other embodiments, another wager of five creditsmay have been deducted for this second reel spinning game.

Of course, jewels are simply symbols and lots of alternative games usingthe same “match-3” rules are available. In addition, although an 8×8symbol grid is depicted in these embodiments, grids of all shapes,sizes, and types may be used in other embodiments. These matching gamesare also merely one type of entertainment game and many others arepossible. Tetris, word games such as Scrabble® or Boggle®, crosswordpuzzle style games, Sudoku® style games, card games, and other suchgames could all be used as entertainment-based games. Additionally,traditional wager-based games may be used as entertainment games. Forexample, a video poker game may be used as the entertainment-based game,where points are won for some or all of the resulting hands. After thesepoints have been awarded, some or all of the five cards in the pokerhand may be transformed into reels for the wager-based game. In alinked-game embodiment, players may compete against each other in anentertainment-based poker game with points awarded, and have separate(or linked) wager-based games that take place during or after the linkedpoker game.

Although spinning reels are shown as the wager-based game, manydifferent types of wager-based games may be used in other embodiments.For example, a playing card may be displayed for each matched symbol aspart of a video poker, blackjack, pai gow poker, or other card game. Inone embodiment, the matched 3, 4, 5, etc. symbols may be replaced withcards that are collected and have their value added using a blackjackcard point system. Here, scores of 25 points or less win nothing, scoresof 26-28 earns 5× the player's bet, scores of 29-30 earn 8× the player'sbet, scores of 31-33 earn 10× the player's bet, scores of 34-36 earn 15×the player's bet, scores of 37-42 earn 50× the player's bet, scores of43-48 earn 100× the player's bet, scores of 49-53 earn 250× the player'sbet, and a score of 54 earns 10,000× the player's bet.

FIG. 7 is a detail diagram of another example gaming device configuredto allow play of an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention. More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a gaming device 500that includes a wager-based game display portion 520 that is separatefrom a game display 530 used for displaying an entertainment-based game.As mentioned above, this configuration allows for the separation of theentertainment-based game and the wager-based game, which may bepreferable in certain game configurations. For example, in a word-basedtrivia entertainment game, the use of a separate wager-based gamedisplay 520 may allow multiple reels 523 to be spun after a correctresponse without tying an aspect of the answer to part of thewager-based game display.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates three mechanical spinning reels 523 havingmultiple game symbols 525 on associated reel strips in the wager-basedgame display portion 520, any type of wager-based game display may beused. For example, in some embodiments, the same video display used forthe entertainment-based game may also have a separate portion used todisplay video reels for a wager-based game. In other embodiments, avideo display used to show the entertainment-based game may replace someor all of the entertainment game display with a separate wager-basedgame display, such as in a second screen display configuration. In theseembodiments, the screens may alter between the entertainment-based gameand the wager-based game. The exact configuration of the displayportions of the gaming device 500 may be determined based on the type orstyle of entertainment game, the type or style of the associatedwagering game desired, the available game hardware, the target playergroup, etc. For example, if the game code for the entertainment-basedgame was loaded and stored in a bonus controller 40 (FIG. 1) connectedto an existing gaming device 10 with a single video display through anMID 20, the entertainment-based game may be configured to alter displayscreens between the entertainment game display and the wagering gamedisplay, if such a separate display of the games is desired. In anotherexample, if the gaming device was embodied in a personal computer 72(FIG. 1), where the player was playing the game over the Internet 70,separate portions of the computer display screen may be used to show theentertainment-based game and the wager-based game.

As mentioned above, slot-type spinning reels are not the only type ofwager-based game that may be used. In embodiments where matched symbolsin the entertainment-based game are replaced by cards, the wager-basedgame display portion 520 may be used to hold a five card poker hand.Here, when the player matches three symbols, for instance, the threecards that replace the matched symbols are transferred down to the fivecard poker hand displayed in the wager-based game display portion 520,where the three cards replace three of the displayed cards and the handis analyzed to see if it is a winning hand. The following example showshow one particular embodiment would be configured. Here, the cardsinitially displayed in the wager-based game display portion 520 are: 5S4D JC 9H AH (S=spade, H=heart, D=diamond, and C=club). In the nextentertainment game (Game 1), the player matches three symbols. In thefollowing game (Game 2), the player matches 4 symbols and then 3 symbolson the shifted symbol matrix. On the next game (Game 3), the playeragain matches 3 symbols. Table 1 below illustrates how the poker handswould look during each of the games and if any prizes were awarded tothe player.

TABLE 1 Game # Card 1 Card 2 Card 3 Card 4 Card 5 Award Initial 5 S 4 DJack C 9 H Ace H N/A 1 10 S  Queen C King C 5 S 4 D 0 2 Ace D 2 H Ace S7 H 10 S  2 2 cont. 2 D 2 S 6 S Ace D 2 H 3 3 Jack H Queen D 9 D 2 D 2 S0

Here, during the first game, the player matched three jewel symbols,which were replaced by the 10 of spades, queen of clubs, and king ofclubs. These three cards were put on the left side of the poker handdisplayed in the wager-based game display portion 520 which pushed therightmost three cards out (JC, 9H, AH) and kept the left two most cards(5S and 4D). However, this poker hand did include any winning symbols.Hence, it did not award the player any credits. During the second game,the player matched four jewels, which were replaced by AD, 2H, AS and7H. These cards were immediately placed down in the poker hand (notethat the 10S was kept from the previous hand) and analyzed. Here, theplayer had a pair of Aces. Since jacks or better paid two times theplayer's bet, the player was awarded 2× of their wager or two credits ona one credit bet. When the four cards were taken off of the symbolmatrix in the entertainment game, the resulting shift in symbols toreplace the matched symbols resulted in another match of three jewelsymbols. Here, these three symbols of 2D, 2S and 6S were placed in thepoker hand, which was again shifted left to right. The poker hand wasagain analyzed and it was determined that it included a three of a kindin twos. The player was awarded three credits for this three of a kindand second game ends as no more matches on the symbol grid are found.Thus, during the second game, the player was awarded a total of fivecredits. During the third game, the player matched three symbols thatwere revealed to be JH, QD, and 9D. There cards were placed in the pokerhand, but did not result in a winning hand.

Many other variations of the above game embodiments are possible. Forexample, in multiple matching games, some embodiments may only analyzethe cards from the final match of the game to determine if there is awinning poker hand. Alternately, the player may be able to choose whichcards to replace or may be able to alter the order of the cards toeffectively control which cards get replaced. This ability to retainspecific cards may require an addition side bet wager, may be part of aspecial bonus awarded to a player that may be used for a predefinednumber of games, or may be a promotional feature supplied to newplayers, highly-valued players, or players reaching certain playingthresholds.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the gaming device 500 includes anentertainment-based game display 530 that is separate from a wager-basedgame display 520. Here, the entertainment-based game display 530includes a video display similar to the entertainment-based displaydescribed above in FIG. 5. During game play, however, instead of matchedsymbols being replaced with game reels and shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, themechanical reels 523 would be spun when the player matched three symbolsor met some other predefined criterion. Here, prizes are awarded to aplayer during game play when a predefined combination of game symbols525 are aligned on the payline 528 after the reels 523 are spun. Theplayer interface panel 540 may again include one or more game buttons542 such as buttons that provide for specific wagers, a hint or helpbutton 544 that provides instructions on game play, and a “Spin” or“Repeat Bet” button 545 that triggers game play.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a gaming deviceconfigured with an entertainment-based game according to embodiments ofthe invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, flow 600 begins with the display of anentertainment-based game in process 605. In process 610, a player inputto play the entertainment-based game is received. This player input mayinclude any input made by the player to advance or alter theentertainment-based game. In the embodiment described above in FIG. 5,this player input may include the player's selection of a symbol tomove, and the adjacent location by which the symbol is to be moved. Inother types of entertainment-based game, these player inputs may includethe selection of a number, letter, word, card, picture, etc. In someembodiments, process 610 may include receiving multiple player inputs orselections. For example, in a crossword style entertainment game, theplayer may have to select each letter of a word used to complete acrossword answer block. In some embodiments, process 610 may includeawarding points to the player based on the player's input and resultingmodification of the entertainment based game. These points may be storedand shown on a separate score meter, such as score meter 460 in FIG. 5.

After a player input is received, process 615 determines if theresulting game play from the player input meets a predefined criterion.In embodiments where the game configuration requires that the playermake a selection that furthers game play, process 615 may merely checkto see that player has properly made a selection before continuing onwith flow 600. For example, if the symbol matching game described in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 only allows the player to make aselection that results in the match of three or more symbols, process615 may be used to determine that the player input has indeed resultedin the match of three symbols. In other words, the predefined criterionmay be that a valid symbol match results from the player input receivedin process 610.

In other embodiments, process 615 may determine if the player has made acorrect selection or a selection that progresses game play. For example,if the symbol matching game described in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4 allows the player to make any symbol selection regardless ofwhether the selection and move results in a match, process 615 may beused to determine if the selection and move results in a match of threeor more symbols. Process 615 may also be used to evaluate whether theplayer input has resulted in a correct selection. In a Sudoku® styleentertainment game, for instance, process 615 may determine whether aselected number in a particular grid position is valid. In other words,the predefined criterion may be a validity test.

If process 615 determines that the player input does not meet thepredefined criterion, flow 600 returns to process 605 to display theentertainment-based game as modified by the player input. If process 615determines that the player input meets the predefined criterion flow 600then proceeds to process 620, where a wager-based game is triggered. Thewager-based game may be any of the gambling games discussed above, orany other type of wager-based game of chance. As described above, thewager-based game may be implemented using modified parts of theentertainment-based game or may be separate from the entertainment basedgame. Prizes associated with the games are then awarded in process 225.Process 225 may include awarding credits or other rewards based onoutcome of the wager-based game and may include awarding any prizes orpromotions associated with the entertainment based game, as describedabove.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are detail diagrams of another example gaming deviceconfigured to allow play of an entertainment-based game according toembodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a gaming device 700 is configured with anentertainment game similar in some respects to the entertainment gameillustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. That is, the gamingdevice 700 includes an entertainment game where the goal is to matchthree or more like symbols in a vertical row or column Again manyalternate possibilities exist as to the form and rules of theentertainment game. In this illustrated embodiment the symbol grid 750includes bonus symbols 755 and partition walls 758. The partition walls758 act as barriers that prevent matches from occurring across them. Thebarrier walls 758 appear from the top of the symbol grid 750 andprogress down one row for every entertainment game played. Hence, on asymbol grid with eight rows, a horizontal barrier wall 758 would be onthe symbol grid 750 for seven games. Vertical barrier walls 758 may bepresent even longer since they have multiple vertical portions that passthrough the symbol grid 750. In other embodiments, the barrier walls 758may appear or disappear with each turn either randomly or according toset rules.

The bonus symbols 755 in this embodiment act as a special symbol, whichwhen aligned in a match of three or more triggers a bonus. That is,while matching other symbol alignments may result in a wager game beingplayed as described above, matching the bonus symbols in an alignmentresults in a separate gaming event that has a guaranteed award. In thisembodiment, matching three or more bonus symbols 755 (such as by movingthe bonus symbol in the 6^(th) column from the 5^(th) to 6^(th) row)results in the presentation of a bonus wheel over the symbol grid 750 asshown in FIG. 9B.

Referring to FIG. 9B, a bonus wheel 760 appears over the symbol grid 750that includes multiple portions having a variety of possible bonusvalues. The bonus wheel 760 includes a spin button 770 to initiate thebonus wheel and a prize indicator 780 that indicates which bonus awardis won. Here, the player would press the spin button 770 to initiate thespinning of the bonus wheel 760 and the prize indicator 780 would showwhich prize was won by the player when the wheel came to a rest.

In other embodiments the bonus wheel may be mechanical or virtual wheelthat is separate from the game display 730. Other types of bonuses maybe used in different embodiments as well as different types of bonustriggering events. For example, in a Sudoku® entertainment-based gameembodiment, a bonus may be initiated when a complete Sudoku® grid iscompletely filled in. In another embodiment, the bonus wheel may appearfor every match of three or more symbols. In these embodiments,different paytables may be used for wheels resulting from matches ofthree, four, five, etc. symbols. Some of these wheel paytables mayinclude portions that indicate that no credits have been won. In otherones of these embodiments, the use of the barrier walls 758 may makegetting matches of three or more symbols much more difficult to ensurethat the game retains a payback percent of less than 100%.

Some embodiments of the invention have been described above, and inaddition, some specific details are shown for purposes of illustratingthe inventive principles. However, numerous other arrangements may bedevised in accordance with the inventive principles of this patentdisclosure. Further, well known processes have not been described indetail in order not to obscure the invention. Thus, while the inventionis described in conjunction with the specific embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, it is not limited to these embodiments or drawings.Rather, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications,and equivalents that come within the scope and spirit of the inventiveprinciples set out in the appended claims.

1. A method of operating a gaming device comprising: displaying anentertainment game; receiving a player input to progress game play ofthe entertainment game; triggering a gambling game when the game playresulting from the player input meets a predefined criterion; andawarding prizes associated with a game outcome of the gambling game. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising incrementing a player score inresponse to the game play resulting from the player input.
 3. The methodof claim 2, further comprising awarding a prize when the player scoremeets a predefined criterion.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving a wagered amount of credits from a credit meterprior to displaying the entertainment game.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein triggering a gambling game includes deducting a wagered amountof credits from a credit meter.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereindisplaying an entertainment game includes displaying a grid of symbols.7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving a player input to progressgame play includes receiving a selection of a symbol in the grid ofsymbols to switch with an adjacent symbol.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein triggering a gambling game when the game play resulting from theplayer input meets a predefined criterion includes replacing each symbolof a matching combination of symbols with a reel and spinning each ofthe reel when the selection of a symbol in the grid of symbols resultsin the matching combination of symbols.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein triggering a gambling game when the game play resulting from theplayer input meets a predefined criterion includes replacing each symbolof a matching combination of symbols with a playing card when theselection of a symbol in the grid of symbols results in the matchingcombination of symbols.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingsumming a point value of each playing card and comparing the point valueto a prize schedule.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprisingplacing the playing cards in a poker hand and analyzing the poker handfor winning combinations of cards.
 12. A gaming device comprising: agaming display; at least one player input mechanism; and a processorconfigured to display an entertainment game on the gaming display,receive a player input to progress game play of the entertainment game,and trigger a gambling game when the game play resulting from the playerinput meets a predefined criterion.
 13. The gaming device of claim 12,where the gaming display is a video display having a touchscreeninterface.
 14. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the gambling gameis displayed on the video display.
 15. The gaming device of claim 13,wherein the gambling game includes a plurality of mechanical spinningreels.
 16. The gaming device of claim 13, further including a memory tostore a plurality of entertainment games, wherein the player inputmechanism is used to select one of the entertainment games to play. 17.The gaming device of claim 13, further including a memory to store aplurality of wager-based games, wherein the player input mechanism isused to select one of the wager-based games to play.
 18. A gaming systemcomprising: a gaming device having a game display and at least oneplayer input device; and a bonus controller connected to the gamingdevice through a network, the bonus controller configured to provide agame to the gaming device, wherein the game includes an entertainmentgame and a gambling game that is triggered in response to game play ofthe entertainment game.
 19. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein thegaming device includes a memory and a processor configured to operatethe game provided by the bonus controller.
 20. The gaming system ofclaim 18, wherein the bonus controller includes a processor configuredto operate the game on the gaming device through the network.